Benedict Cumberbatch (AKA Dr Strange) recites poem by late Palestine poet Mahmoud Darwish
2 Video Views·Feb 20, 2026
During a Gaza fundraiser at London's Wembley arena, UK Actor Benedict Cumberbatch recited the famous poem by the late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish "On this land, there is what makes life worth living".
She was known as Palestine. She forevermore will be known as Palestine.
On this land there are reasons to live.
The return of April. The smell of bread at early dawn.
The thoughts of women about their men. The writings of Aeschylus.
The beginning of love. Moss clinging to a stone.
Mothers balancing on the notes of a flute and the fear of the conquerors from memory.
On this land there are reasons to live.
The endings of September. A woman leaving her 40s behind with the blushed ripeness of an apricot.
A moment of sun dancing in a prison cell.
A cloud that becomes a flock of wild creatures.
The cries of people to those who ascend their death.
And the fear of the tyrants from songs.
On this land there are reasons to live.
This land, the lady of lands. The motherland of beginnings. The motherland of all ends.
She was known as Palestine. She forevermore will be known as Palestine.
My land, my lady, you are a reason to live.